Don’t count out these Holy Cross Crusaders just yet.

They rallied for a 40-38 win over Bucknell Saturday. With a victory next week against Georgetown and a Lehigh loss, Holy Cross would win the Patriot League.

Holy Cross finds itself with a 5-6 overall record, and shares a 4-1 league mark with Lehigh.

The Crusaders faced a 21-3 deficit in the first half, and still found a way to win.

And even in a game with 78 points, it may have been a Holy Cross linebacker who had the best day.

Frankie Monte had eight tackles, six solo, an interception that led to a scoring drive, one tackle for loss, and a game-clinching fumble recovery.

“We’ve been in that situation so many times,” Monte said. “We knew we could fall back on our preparation. Our defensive line has done so well all game. They punched the ball at the end, and it just fell in my lap. So I got lucky to recover that fumble. I have to give all the credit to the big guys up front.”

The offense had a big day, too, of course. Running back Jayden Clerveaux scored two touchdowns with 91 yards on 23 caries. Quarterback Joe Pesansky passed for 186 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Petersen caught three passes for a team-best 90 yards.

Midway through the second quarter, Bucknell held a 21-3 lead on the Crusaders. They got back in it, though, starting with Clerveaux’s 2-yard touchdown run.

Pesansky, in the third quarter, hit Max Mosey with a 35-yard touchdown pass to help make it 21-17, Bucknell.

The Bison extended their lead to 31-17 in the third quarter, but the Crusaders came roaring back. A Cam Jones punt return, Clerveaux 1-yard touchdown run, and a 56-yard Curtis Harris-Lopez pick-six put Holy Cross back ahead, 37-31.

Bucknell answered with a touchdown to take the 38-37 lead, but a 23-yard field goal from Daniel Porto with less than a minute left was all the Crusaders needed.

Joe Townsend’s strip and Monte’s recovery finished it off.